Closure applying machine



CLOSURE APPLYING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q1 ff f 91 9 40 75 73 IE l IETZ:

z p :inventor gg WILLY E. ZIMMERMANN Bn W M l :TE-E I Gnome!! March 6, 1951 w. E, zlMMERMANN Y 2,544,626 v v cLosuRE APPLYmG MACHINE Filed March 15, 1947 s. sheets-sheet 2 lnventor WlLLY E. ZIMMERMANN (Ittomeg -notinjure or damage the closure or cap.

Patented Mar. 6, 1951 2,544,626 cLosURE APPLYING MACHINE Willy E. Zimmermann, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Standard Cap and Seal Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Virginia Application March 15, 1947, Serial No. 735,011

11 claims. 1

This invention relates to` closure aixing or capping machines and more particularly to devices for deforming or acting upon skirted closures to seal receptacles such as milk bottles and the like.

The invention embraces the provision of a capping head `for use with a capping machine which is particularly adapted for applying of aiiixing caps of very thin metal or caps o1' a laminated formation of paper and metal foil to milk bottles or similar'receptacles.

' The invention comprehends the provision of a capping device for aflixing skirted closures to receptacles which embodies a `resilient annular member and a plurality of movably supported levers or fingers cooperating therewith to apply pressure radially of the resilient member to sure into proper sealing engagement with a receptacle mouth.

Y' An object' of the invention resides in the provision of a capping head for a'ixing skirtedclosures to receptacles in which force applied in effecting a sealing engagement of a closure with the receptacle mouth is so directed as to eliminate the possibility of improperly applying the cap or closure to a receptacle. l l Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a closure aflixing means which `will A further object of the invention resides in th provision of a closure afxing or deforming means which is adapted to seal bottles or receptacles provided with a reinforcing bead or ring adjacent the bottle or receptacle mouth.

A further object of the invention is the pro- ,vision of a closure afxing means which will distort or pinch the closure into the rm engagement with the bead forming the bottle mouth or lip so as to provide an effective seal between the closure and receptacle. A Still anotherobject of the invention resides in a means for aiXing skirted closures to a bottle mouth inv which the means is rendered automatically adjustable to compensate for slight variations in the height of the bottles.

@Further objects and advantages are within the scope'of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the ree I Figure v3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the upper portion of a bottle and closure prior to the application of the capping head to the closure;

Figure 5 is a sectional View of the arrangement shown in Figure 3 illustrating the mechanism in a position to deform the closure about the bottle mouth.;

Figure 6 isa top plan View of an element forming a part of the invention;

' Figure 7 is an elevational view of the element shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View taken suby stantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an elevational view with a portion in section showing a resilient member adapted to engage the closure during deforming operations;

Figure 10 is a plan View of the member illustrated in Figure 9; Y

Figure 11 is an elevational view of one of the levers or lingers for actuating the resilient member;

Figure 12 is a side view of the construction shown in Figure V11;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the lever shown in Figure 11, and

Figure 14 is a plan view of the lower end of the construction shown in Figure 11. j

While I have shown the closure alxing means or capping head of my invention as particularly adapted and arranged to deform or aflix closures on to the mouths of milk bottles or the like, it is to be understood that I contemplate the utilization of my invention in aixing closures to any type of receptacle with which the same may be found to be useable.

A capping head of the character embraced in the presentinvention is preferably employed in connection with bottle filling machinery and closure applying means. Forexample, in dairies and other industries engaged in operations of lling and closing or sealing bottles, the sequence of operations usually include a mechanism for lling the bottles, oi' selectively feeding closures or sklrted caps on to the mouths of the iilled bottles and oiA deforming portions of the closuresv to ainx or distort them into sealing engagement with the bottles. The present invention is directed to improvements in devices-or mechanism for axing caps or closures in sealed relation upon the bottle mouths.

Referring to the drawings in detail there is ill lustrated a capping head or closure afxing means embodying the present invention which is supported upon a frame IU forming a part oi' a bottle filling machine, or in some installations is an independent frame, which is usually conligurated l.

in a manner (not shown) to support a plurality of capping heads or units.

The frame I is adapted to support a Ueshaped.- bracket or member II, the leg portions I4 and I5; of` the bracket being. secured A to. the. frame.. byl means of screws I2 as showninligures 1. and. 3.. The bight portion I6 of bracketllis centrally bored to snugly receive atenonil iormedupon the upper portion of a member IB, theportion I6, beingv provided with parallel horizontal openings to receive a U-shaped retaining clipIQ.- The exterior wall of the:tenonV I'I-is. iormedrwithanannular recess which accommodates -leg portions of the clip I9 to retain the member I8 to tnebracket IIJ which providesa .supporting meansforgthe cappingdevice.` n K As, particularly :shown in. Figure 1, thedepending portions of members. l4 and I5 are `provided with-Vertical recesses which formiguide means for across head'ZI, the latter being formed ,with projections 22 extending into and. cooperating with the Ways-20. Thefcrossfhead 2-I isintegrally formed. withY adepending sleeve-like' portion 23, both cross-head,` portion and sleeve lhaving-abore therethrough to receive and accommodate portion 25formed' ona'shait24, the portion 25 being of slightly larger diameter than theupper portion of theshaft 24.

As shown in Figure 1, the membei'r I8 provided 5 With laterally extending ears-or projections 2'I which are respectively bored to lslidably. accommodate apair of guidey rods-'T29'. The. cross head 2l is provided with a pair of threaded 'bores' which are adapted to receivethreadedterions 30 formed on the lower ends of the guiderods 29. The'members I8 and 2| are respectively. formed withlshallow recesses 3| and 32' whichzara adaptedstoreceive and form seats for 'theextremities ofianexf: pansive coil spring 33 which surrounds a portion of the shaft. 24. The spring 3isacomparatively heavy spring arranged to exertiaidownwardpres sure uponthemember 2I`but. is adapted to be compressed and avoid damage. to the mecha-5 mism if 'material variation is encountered. in?. the dimensions of bottlesupon which1.closuresare being aixed. In event the memb'erZIv is moved upwardly in the recesses 20, the spring'33 will be compressed and the rods 29'wi1l' slide upwardly relative to the ear portions 21 formed on inem-.- 65

extremityof shaft- 24`is a tenon 36" which is loi" 70 as iz'e to receive and'carry a member 3T, the latter beingsecuredto the tenon by being pressed onor otherwise iixedlyretained in position. The

plunger 39 having a disc-like depending head 40. Integrally iormed upon plunger :i9 is an upwardly extending portion 4| o1' reduced diameter which terminates at its upper end in a shoulder or abutment 42. Also disposed in the bore 3a is an expansive coil spring 43. A transversely extending pin or dowelAlI projects partially into the bo're381and is adaptedto engage the abutment 42 to limit the lowermost position of the head 40. The expansive spring 4:1 serves to constantly urge the plunger 3s and head 4u toward their lower-most position.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 6 through 8, vthe member 3l is circumrereiitially iormed with apluraiityfoi' equally spaced triangularly-snaped projections 41. AEach adjacent pair or' projections 4'1. are iormed with opposing parallel walls 48, the space between eacn pair oi parallel walls accommodating a iinger'or lever 50. In the embodiment oitne elementi?!V shown in Figures 6 and I'tnere is provided aseries of eight-spaces to accommodate eight nngers or levers 5u. Each pair oi'vprojectionsvln are connected. integrally by means of a portion or bridge 5I, and each triangular projection or segment 4i is joinedto a central annular boss 52 by means of radiallyarranged ribs 53. Y

YEachof. the bridge portions 5I is configurated as shown infFigure The interior wall orthe wall nearest theaxis-of shaft 24 of eachr bridge is formed with a curved portion 56 iwhich provides a fulcrum orseat for'v a reciprocally-shaped convex portion 51 formed. oneach-of the lingers 5D. The projections 57 on the fingers 5l] provide, whenengagedin the: convex recess 56. formed in the: bridge: portions 5I, surfaces adapted for compound pivotal and slidingmovement with re#v spect to the*v walls of the recesses 56. Each of the lingers 5l is provided with a congurated interior formation 60 providinga relief or clearance to accommodateipivotal movement of the ngers about the bridge portions 5I as particularly shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5.

The exterior. of the. sleeve 23 is threaded as at 63, and mounted upon thev threaded portion is a means for actuatingthe fingers 50. In the embodiment illustrated this means is in the form of an inverted frusto-conically shaped member '64 as shownfin Figures 1, 2, land 5. The member Ii4is.threaded upon the sleeve 63 andis adapted to". be.lo'cked in adjusted position with respect to the sleeve by means ofa; locking nut 65. The nut is preferably. provided with spaced radial openings 166 to accnzirninodate`l a; Spanner wrench formanipulating'the'nut.r

Thengers orf levers 50"' are normally urged tothe-position shown in Figures 1, 2` and 4 by means of a resilent'extensible' means which, in the embodiment' illustrated.. is inv the form of a coil spring 69 formed intoannnlar shape'. The resilient member 69 is" 'adapted'to engage in recesses 'I0 formed inthe'ngers 50. i The arrangement of my invention is'inclusive of'a closurel engagin'gmeans in the form of an annular member '13. of rubber, synthetic rubber or other deformable material. The annular'member T3-is-provided with. an inwardly extending overa dpendingfannular'boss or flangeiE formed upon member 31. The annular'n'iembe'r 'I3 is pro-I vided with an outwardly projecting bead portion T'I'wl'ii'ch'is adapted'toengage in recesses 'I8 formed portionA 25 of shaft 24 lis provided with an axial bore 38 within which is reciprocably mounted' a 75 50, as particularly: shown. inFigures 2 and Ai.v The in depending portions 'I9' of the levers or ngers member 13 is formed with .an interior surface 80 of such configuration and dimension as to receive a bottle mouth and closure as illustrated in Figure.4.

Means are provided for aligning or centering the bottle and closure prior to the engagement of the resilient ring 13 therewith. This guide means is inclusive of a member 83 which is Aformed with an annular wall 8d with which is integrally formed an inwardly and angularly projecting flange S5. The inner wall of the flange 85 is of a dimension to accommodate the passage of a bottle mouth and closure. The guide member 83 is adapted to be removably mounted upon the member 31. To this end each of the lateral projections 41 on member 31 are formed with recesses or grooves 31 and the upper portion of wall 84 is formed with a circular boss portion 83, the latter being provided with a plurality of threaded openings to accommodate headed screws 90. The screws 90 project through the threaded openings and extend into the recesses 31. Through the use of thisv form of securing means, the guide member 63 may be quickly removed and replaced without the use of special tools. The wall 84 is formed with spaced openings el so that the operation of the cap or closure afxing means may be readily observed.

The initial vertical position of the capping head or unit may be regulated in the following manner. The upper extremity of shaft 24 is provided with a threaded tenen 95 which is surrounded by means of a Spacer or collar 96 above which isvpositioned a washer 91 and lock nuts 98. By removing the lock nuts S38 and washer 3l, a spacer or collar of diierent width may be employed for initially raising or lowering the capping device. When a collar of proper width is inserted to position the capping unit, the washer 91 and lock nuts 98 may be assembled as shown in Figures 1 and V2, which arrangement predetermines the lower-most position of the Capping unit. l

The operation of the arrangement of my invention is as follows: A capping or closure aflixing means of the nature disclosed herein is usually employed in conjunction with bottle filling and cap 'applying means, such mechanism having a movable bottle or receptacle conveying means for moving the bottles from a filling station to a cap applying station .and to the cap afxing unit. A bottle B having a cap or closure C loosely applied upon the bottle mouth is moved by the above mentioned bottle conveying means to a position in which the vertical axis of the bottle is in substantial alignment with the axis of the shaft 25 and plunger 3S. The bottle conveying means (not shown) is arranged to thereafter elevate the bottle and closure carried thereby, an intermediate lposition of elevation being illustrated in Figure 4 in which position the uniplanar portion of the closure C is brought into contact or engagement with the lower surface of the disc 40. Under the influence of the resilient means or spring 43, the disc 4e resiliently retains the closure in tight engagement with the upper edge of the bottle mouth during the operation of amxing the closure to the bottle. Further upward movement of the bottle compresses the spring 43 to the position shown in Figure 5, disc or head 40 engaging member 31 to prevent further upward relative movement of head 4E With respect to the member 31. The bottle B is thereafter elevated a further distance whereby the bottle and closure move the member' 31 and components carried thereby upwardly. As this further upward movement of th bottle takes place, the inverted frusto'- conically shaped member 64 remain-relatively stationary under the iniiuence of the spring 33 which exerts comparatively high resistance against movement. Thus the pad portions 9|, engaging the member Eli, cause the lingers or levers 53 to be swung or pivoted about the fulcrum surfaces or seat 56 in member 31, such action moving the depending portions 19 of the iingers inwardly against the resilient annulus 13, causing the latter to be deformed in engaging the closure C to affix or distort the closure skirt into sealing engagement with the upper. portion of the bottle or receptacle as illustrated in Figure 5. The skirted closure being formed of metal or of the laminated type of paper and metal or foil,V the closure after distortion into sealing engage-.

ment with the receptacle mouth will be retained in such sealed position with Withdrawal of the resilient annulus and until the closure is removed to obtain access to the receptacle.

In the event that there is any appreciable difference in the heights of bottles, the difference will be compensated by reason of upward movement of the closure head 2| against the tension of spring 33 so that damage to the components of the closure aixing mechanism will be avoided. Upward movement of the closure head will only ensue after the upper portion of member 31 engages the lower end or extremity of member 64.

After the closure or cap C has been deformed or afiixed to the bottle mouth as illustrated in Figure 5, the conveyer mechanism supporting the bottle is caused to move downwardly, thus lowering the bottle, member 31 and guide member 83. As these elements move downwardly the pad portions 3! of the lingers 50, remaining in contact with member 64 under the influence of springs Se, move inwardly whereby the fingers 59 again move about their fulcrum seats 56 and again approach the position illustrated in Figure 4. This pivotal movement of the ngers 5D moves the depending portions 19 of the iingers in a lateral direction away from the axis of the bottle B and shaft 25,v and the annular member 13 being of resilient material assumes its normal retracted position as illustrated in Figure 4. In this manner the annulus 73 is completely withdrawn from contact with the closure C so that closure and the bottle may be freely Withdrawn through the central opening in the guide member 83. It should be noted that the fulcrum seats 56 for the fingers 56 are arranged away from the vertical axis of the bottle B and shaft 24 substantially the same distance as the exterior periphery of the bottle mouth from the same axis. With this arrangement wherein the fulcrums for the fingers 5S are arranged in vertical alignment with the peripheral edge of the bottle mouth, the lateral pressure exerted by the depending portions of the ngers 56 upon the resilient annulus 13 is in a substantially horizontal direction in the zone where the skirt portion of the closure C is deformed or distorted into sealing engagement with the bottle B. Through the application of a radially and substantially horizontal force directed against the closures there are no angularly directed forces acting upon the closure which might result in an ineffective sealing of the bottle. Certain types of bottles for containing milk or other fluids, and especially the larger bottles, are provided with reinforcing beads or annular ange portions F as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. the flanges being disposed below the skirt portion of the closure C. These flanges also providea convenient means forfacilitating packing and for delivering of the bottles, Through the utilization of the present closure aixing device, the bottle moves up a lesser distance than in prior devices during closure aiiixing operations so that the flange F' does not come into contact with the wall 85 of the guide 83. This will be obvious from an examination of Figure 5.

While I have described the arrangement of my invention as employed with a bottle conveying means which elevates the bottles into the closure amxing means, it is to be understood that my invention is susceptible of use wherein the bottle remains in one position and the mechanism carrying the capping head or unit is arranged for relative movement to Amove the closure afflxing unit on to the bottle and closure. A plurality of the capping devices or heads herein described may be employed with a single capping machine, and a capping unit may be quickly and easily affixed to the supporting bracket Il or removed therefrom without the necessity of dismantling any other portions of the capping machine. The removal of the capping head may be affected by simply withdrawing the ueshaped member I9, after which the shaft 24 and the other components of the cap affxing unit may be withdrawn from the bracket il.

Itis. apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

' What I claim is:

l. In combination, mechanism for aflixing closures on receptacles including a support; a vertical shaft arranged for relative movement with respect to the support; a flange shaped member mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and formed with a plurality of concave portions to provide a plurality of fulcrum seats, an annular flange formed on the lower side of said member; an annulus of resilient material associated with said member, the upper edge portion of said resilient material in contact with said annular ange; a plurality of radially arranged levers having convex portions formed to fulcrum in said seats upon said member, the outer peripheral edge portions of said annulus of resilient'material being in contact with the lower end portions of said levers; cone. shaped means for actuating the upper end portions of said levers outwardly and the lower end portion inwardly to compress said annulus inwardly into engage ment with a closure to aflix the latter on the mouth of a receptacle; and a bottle guide carried solely by said member. 2. In combination, mechanism for afflxing skirted closures to receptacles including a shaft; a ange shaped member carried by the lower end of the-shaft and formed with a plurality of concave portions to provide a plurality of fulcrum seats, an annular flange formed on the lower end of said member; resilient means associated with the annular flange on said member; a plurality of levers having convex portions intermediate its ends formed to fulcrum in said seats upon said member; and a cone shaped means for causing outward relative movement of the upper end of said levers and inward movement of the lower ends of said levers to compress said resilient means inwardly into engagement with a closure tQtX thejlatter on the mouth of a receptacle,

3. A capping device for aflixing skirted closures to receptacles including a shaft; a lever support-v ing hanged member carried by the lower end of the shaft and formed with a plurality of concave portions to provide a plurality of fulcrum seats; a resilient annulus associated with a circular liange formed on the lower side of said member; a plurality of levers having convex portions formed to fulcrum in said seats upon said member; and cone shaped means for causing relative movement of said levers to compress said resilient annulus into engagement with a closure to affix the latter on the mouth of a receptacle.

4. In combination, mechanism for aflixing skirted closures to bottles including a vertical shaft; a lever supporting flanged member mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and formed with a plurality of concave portions to provide a plurality of fulcrum seats; a deformable element associated with said member, an annular depending ange on the lower side of said member; a plurality of levers having convex portions formed to be carried by and to fulcrum in said seats upon said member and arranged for relative movement about horizontal axes disposed substantially in vertical alignment with the exterior periphery of the bottle mouth, said deformable element supported between said annular flange and the lower ends of said levers, and means for actuating said levers to deform said element into contact with a closure for afxing the closure upon a bottle mouth.

5. In combination, mechanism for aixing closures on receptacles including a shaft; a lever supporting member mounted upon the lowerend of said shaft and formed with a plurality of concave portions to provide a plurality of fulcrum seats, said member having an annular depending portion formed on the lower side thereof; an element of resilient material associated with said member; a plurality of levers having convex portions formed to fulcrum in seats upon said member; said element of resilient material supported between said member and the lower ends of said levers, means for actuating said levers to distort said element into engagement with a closure, and guide means carried solely by said member for directing the mouth of a receptacle and closure therefor to a position adjacent said resilient element.

6. A device for affixing closures on receptacles including a vertical support; a shaft arranged for relative sliding movement with respect to said support; a horizontal member mounted upon said vertical shaft formed with a plurality of concave bearing seats; an annulus of resilient material associated with said member; a plurality of levers having bearing portions adapted to function in said concave bearing seats upon said member; said annulus supported between said member and the lower ends of said levers, means for actuating said levers to compress said annulus inwardly, and guide means carried solely by said member for directing the mouth of a receptacle and closure therefor into said annulus.

7. Mechanism for affixing closures on receptacles including a vertical shaft; a horizontal member mounted upon the lower end of said shaft formed with a plurality of concave bearing seats; an element of resilient material associated with said member; a plurality of levers having bearing members adapted to function with said bearing seats upon said member; said levers being fulcrumed about axes radially spaced from the axis of the .annulus a distance substantially fequal to `the radial distance ofA the exterior peripheryef the receptacle from its central axis, said element of resilient material supplted between said memlber and the lower ends of said levers, a cone .a bottle guide means carried solely by said horizontal member upon said shaft. Y 8. Mechanism for aixing closures on receptacles including a support; a vertical shaft arranged for relative sliding movement with'respect to said support; a horizontal member mounted upon the lower end of said shaft having concavebearing seats; an 'annulus' of resilient material associated with said; member; a plurality of levers .having bearing'portionsadapted to fulcrum with said'bearingfseats uponvsaid vmember; said levers being fulcrumed about axes vradially spaced from the axis ofthe annulus a distance substantially equal to the radial distance of the exterior periphery of the receptacle from its central axis,` said annulus of resilient material supported between said member and the lower ends of said levers, means for causing relative movement of saidlevers' about their -respective fulcrumsto distort said annulus into engagement with a closure for aixing saidclosure tof-aref' ceptacle mouth; and a bottle guide carried,v solely by said horizontal mm'berfmounted upon said shaft.

' 9. I n a mechanism of the character'diselosed,

' in combinatioma support; a vertical shaftmountf' ed for relative movement -with respect to the sup- --portpan element having an angularlydirected surface including bearing seats associated with the shaft; a member mounted upon the shaft; resilient means associated with said member; means for deforming a receptacle closure including a plurality of fingers pivotally supported solely in said bearing seats upon said member; said resilient means carried solely between said member and the lower ends of said fingers, said lingers being arranged for cooperation with said angularly disposed surface whereby relative movement between said element and said fingers cause the latter to distort said resilient means into engagement with a closure to be deformed, and a bottle guide carried solely by said member mounted upon said shaft. Y

10. In a mechanism for afxing skirted closures to receptacles including in combination, a vertical shaft arranged for relative slidable movement;

a supporting sleeve surrounding the shaft; an'

element having a frusto-conically shaped exterior surface through which vsaid shaft extends; resilient means for normally maintaining said element in relative spaced relation with respect to said sleeve; a horizontal member carried by said shaft formed with a plurality of concave bearing seats; a plurality of ngers having portions adapted to cooperate with said seats and fulcrumed upon said member and radially spaced about the axis of said shaft; an annulus of compressible material associated with said member and supported solely between said member and the ends o'f said fingers; said frusto-conically shaped element and said lingers being so arranged that relative movement therebetween causes said ngers to compress the resilient annulus inwardly into contact with a closure for` deforming the latter into sealing engagement with-a receptacle; and a bottle guide carried solely by said member carried by said shaft. 11. A capping mechanismfor afxing skirted V*caps to receptacles including a vertical shaft; an element having a cone shaped exterior surface associated with said shaft; a horizontal menibermounted upon said shaft having a plurality of bearing seats; a plurality of levers radially spaced about the axisA of said shaft; said levers having portions adapted to cooperate with said bearing seats and adapted to function upon Vsaid member; a member of Vcompressible material aszsociated with said levers, said compressible inaterial supported between said memberand the ends of said fingers; said parts being arranged whereby relative movement between said levers v.andsaid element causes said fingers to distort said compressibledmaterial into contact witha skirted -closure foraiiixing the Ysame upon H'a .receptacle mouth, vand guide means supported solely-by said member mounted upon said shaft for guiding a receptacle mouth and closure into predetermined operative position with respect to said -vcompressible member.

12. A capping-mechanism for afxing skirted caps to receptacles including a support; a vertical .shaft carried yby and relativelymovable `with frespect'to the support; an element having a cone shapedexterior surfaceassociated with said shaft; a substantially horizontal member mounted upon the lewer, end 0f .said;.shaft: havng bearing nortons; a-.plural-itmof levers :radially: spaced about fthe axissof Saidzshaftand carriedisolely by Said memben said levers; cooperating with said bearing Aportions upongs'aidmember; an annuluspf .compressible .materiakassociatedv with said levers kand Asupported solely betweenysaid member vand j-the lower -end portions -zQfg said 'levers said parts being arranged whereby relative movement between said levers and the element cause said lingers to compress said annulus into contact with a skirted closure for aixing the same upon a receptacle mouth; and means carried solely by said member for guiding a receptacle mouth and closure into predetermined operative position with respectto said annulus. l

`13. In a capping mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a member secured to the lower end portion of said shaft and having a plurality of hook-like projections; a plurality of radially arranged fingers having seat portions intermediate its ends engageable in recesses formed by said hook-like projections; an annulus of compressible material disposed adjacent said member; said fingers having its lower end portions engageable with said annulus; cone shaped means associated with said shaft and engageable with the upper ends of said fingers whereby relative movement between said shaft and said cone shaped means forces the upper ends of said fingers outwardly and moves the lower end of said ngers inwardly to compress the annulus inwardly into engagement with a closure for aiiixing the latter upon a receptacle mouth; and a guide carried solely by said member.

14. In a capping head, the combination of a shaft; a flange like member associated with the lower end of said shaft and having a plurality of radially arranged upwardly extending hook-like projections; a plurality of radially arranged fingers having seat portions engageable in recesses formed by said hook-like projections; an annulus of compressible material juxtaposed said member on the lower end of said shaft, and a cone shaped means engageable with said fingers where- 'atente vity relative mevementgbetween leale fallait and taitleene shaped ineens feiees 'the upper end of fsa'd fingers. outwardlr and noves Ythe 'lower lend fofhsad lingers inwardly to distort the annulus 'portions VVengengeable in recesses formed b'y-'said hooklike projections; anfelemen'tfof compres'sible jrl'iaterial;r a circular depending 'rib on the said flange like -inenib'er in -eentaet with the internal Aedgel-portion of said elel-ent of con'rlpie's`sible-inateri'al, and cone shaped ineansv'f'or `aetli'ili'ting the llpperendef `said angers elitvvardlv andthe letter and of 'Said ngers inwardly t dtot sai: 'lfnlent into engagement Witha #closure for Ya'iiixing the Ylatter upon a receptacle mouth, 'aidfa bottle -ude carried solely byisaid-inenlb'er. 4

f'r 'receptailles including `a vertical shaft; a 4aleeve; said shaft eeii-igielativelylreeiereeablein 'said sleeve; means 'ier adjusting the initial petitien ef said shaft with reepeet te fea-itl sleeve; a

substantially horizontal inenib'ei ineiinteii 'upon tn said Vnearing tertiaire; an fanniilue lef -eenip'r'essible Yresilient fii'latefial 'eispeseeuleetiveen 2said n'jieiiflberand'th'elb iend portionsof said jngere; Ameans rie'i-a'etuating tala Vlingersineludliiig element having aeenieal-ly ellapedsu-riaee; .a cross head: vresilient means for maintaining lsaid .i dfl'vsiitien; ineanaffer aliliistirjigf lthe p'lgsitl'e' n f said element witllrespeet te taie ertsiiead; means niennte'd upon and tariflee solely by 'sala inembe for gulding a reeept'aele nl eiith and eleeufetherefr 'inte tne-'anniilua the Ylower end portions er said iin- 'gers being engag'eable with the 'annulus 'to/disltort the latter interiontactwith a closure te affix the' closure 'ol'l'afreeeptacle'moulin` 17. In a devi'ceof the -cla'ssdescrib'ed for'aixing closures upon receptacles, a vertical shaft, a compressible resilient yelampirlg means, a cone shaped lnrealis movably mounted relative to said shaft, 'a ange 'type lever supporting member seclredto Ithed'olvver end f lsaid shaft, a plurality :of radially le'ifectivl'ev -pressure exerting levers :ef- Aferiti-veil??dispc'led =re1ativeto said clamping member and icarried seleiy by said fl'ange'ty'pe niemybelgs'eiidlevers Vefee'tivefuponfamovement of said icone shaped imeansi'to cail'se said radially effective levers tof-contact said clamping-means about a jclbs'ure supported-,upon the 'mouth of a bottle;

a bottle and closure; guide means sup ported solely Yby said flange type @member :and` means for actuating said movable icone shaped member.

' ZIMMERMANN.

- tf-EERNS drinn {rli'e renewing referentes :are ef record in th file-eftliia 4'patenti' f v NQTX 'ED' 'SIITAAIS 'YATE' [S vName v Y 4j. Y July j, 1896 NGV. la, 

